Jude Bellingham has won the 2023 Golden Boy Award for the best player in Europe under the age of 21.
The award was launched 20 years ago by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport and is voted for by 50 sports journalists across the continent. In a video message on tuttosport.com, the England midfielder said: “I just wanted to thank everyone who voted for me for Golden Boy 2023. I really appreciate it.
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“I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in my journey so far in Birmingham, Dortmund and now Madrid. Without them it wouldn’t be possible. There are so many that I would sit here for hours trying to list them all.
“Lastly and most importantly, my family gives me the support, motivation and love to keep striving every day. Now that I have received this wonderful award, I want to continue and push the limits of my potential and hopefully win many more trophies.”
Bellingham has made a big impression since joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, scoring 13 goals in 14 games, including both in a 2-1 win over Barcelona last month.
The 20-year-old was awarded the Kopa trophy for the best young player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony last month. He is the third English player to win the Golden Boy, after Wayne Rooney in 2004 and Raheem Sterling in 2014. The award will be presented at a gala in Turin on December 4th.
